Patient restraining device

Abstract

Disclosed is an open-back restraining vest having posterior wings which overlap in back to close the vest. Attached to the end of each posterior wing is a tie-strap, one of which is disposed through a loop on the exterior of the other posterior wing, the other tie-strap being disposed through a slot in the first posterior wing, whereby the application of tension to the tie-straps serves to draw the vest closed. The tie-straps are anchored to the rails of a bed, the amount of slack determining the limits of the patient's range of movement. Additional monitor straps attached to the vest may be connected to an alarm to indicate when the patient is approaching the limit of his permissible range of movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A patient restraint device for use by a patient to be restrained on a bed against excessive vertical and horizontal movement with respect to said bed, and for alerting nursing personnel of impending excessive movement before said patient is endangered thereby, comprising: a vest securely received about the upper body of said patient;   an alarm;   bidirectional alarm activating switch means located beneath and fixed to said bed out of reach of the patient, and responsive to pulling force applied thereto in either of two opposite horizontal directions, for activating said alarm in response to pulling force exceeding a predetermined limit applied in any of said opposite horizontal directions;   means for translating vertical or horizontal motion of said patient into pulling force applied in at least one of said opposite first and second horizontal directions, said translation means including: a first monitor strap having first and second ends, the first end securely attached to said vest, said first strap extending from said vest over one side of said bed, the second end thereof connected to said bidirectional alarm activating switch means such that tension in said first monitor strap exerts a pulling force in the first direction; and   a second monitor strap having first and second ends, the first end securely attached to said vest, said second strap extending from said vest over the other side of said bed, the second end thereof connected to said bidirectional alarm activating switch means such that tension in said second monitor strap exerts a pulling force in the second direction.